The white lions of Akasia Lodge

THABAZIMBI – Three years after Mike and Chrissy Hodge started breeding white lions at Akasia Lodge, the public is welcome to visit them and see these gracious animals from close by. Akasia Lodge is about 30km from Thabazimbi on the road to Lephalale (Ellisras).
Of the original five lions, since our previous article, only George, a 50% white male and a real “King of the Jungle” and Nina, George’s child, now a year old, remained. In an unfortunate incident Nina’s mother, Nala, got in to the enclosure where the other breeding pair, Tyson and Tisha, were kept. Needless to say, big cats are very much the same as the domestic type and nothing could be saved.
On the brighter side – a 100% white female, Frieda, was acquired and she and George are now the parents of  the one month old Schamba, also a 50% white male lion. Schamba was very weak in the beginning but as this is her second cub to be hand reared, Chrissy is now a trained lion mother and she nursed Schamba through all her colic. The interaction between her and this baby lion is something that must be seen. Even Nina, which was Chrissy’s first cub, still loves it when Chrissy cuddles her, although at this stage, she weighs about the same as Chrissy.
A 50% white male, Freddie, was acquired to be Nina’s life companion. Freddie, just like Nina, is very tame and used to humans. Going into the lion’s den took some convincing, but after a while it felt like being with two big dogs in the veldt. They were in any case much more interested in their food on the back of the Land Rover to bother them about us. Although Freddie is only three weeks older than Nina, he is about one and a half times her size. Nina still occasionally joins the family at home and sleeps on the same bed as Mike and Chrissy.
The plan is to swap George for a 100% white lion and this lion with Frieda would be the main breeding pair. The new owners of George want to put new blood in their pride and George is an excellent specimen for this.
As mentioned earlier, the public is welcome to come and admire these jungle royalties. Booking in advance is essential. This guided tour to see the lions is R50 per person. Apart from the lions, Akasia Lodge also offers game drives at the lodge is part of a 1500 hectare game farm. These game drives lasts about an hour and booking is also essential. There is abundance of game to be seen which includes spesies like Zebra, Giraffe, Blue Wild Beest, Eland, Gemsbuck, Rooihartbees, Njala, Kudu, Impala, Blesbuck, and some trophy Warthogs. Leopard and Cheetah also passes occasionally through the farm. The bird life is just as amazing with secretary birds and fish eagle often seen. The dam close to the lodge also attracts a number of water birds. If you want to bring your kayak and fishing rod, just arrange with Mike and Chrissy before hand.
Apart from the lions, Akasia Lodge caters for the tourist who just wants to relax. The lodge consists of one double and four twin on-suite rooms, a central living room, cum dining room, cum lapa where a big bon-fire is lit in the centre of the room. A bar with pool table joins this section.
Two upper decks, one facing East and one facing West are joined by a gangway. The best place to enjoy the sunrise with a warm mug off coffee or the ideal place for a sundowner. A pool with its own lapa is also part of the setup.
Whole groups can book the Lodge for R3000 per night, self catering. Catering can be provided at an additional fee. The normal rate for sharing with other visitor is R300 per person and includes a full breakfast. As there is only one kitchen, different groups that share have not got the option of self catering. Other meals can be provided at an additional fee. During special occasions like the Thabazimbi Expo, different rates apply as guests have different preferences like dinner at night. Chrissy is always open to discuss your requirement, please don’t hesitate.
Four twin tents with shared ablution and kitchen facilities are also in the pipeline to provide facilities for self catering visitors. A conference centre is also part of this planning. These facilities can be utilized by the minors while the bosses can be accommodated in the luxury of the main lodge.
To arrange a visit to Akasia Lodge, please phone Chrissy at 082 8530 124 or Mike at 082 3232 456.